Abstract

To the editor: The frequency of the HLA-B27 antigen in samples of the normal Indian population and its association with ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's disease, and other spondyloarthropathies is similar to those reported in Western studies. The HLA-B27 antigen has been detected by us in 5.9% of 118 controls, 94% of 51 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (relative risk, 254), 83% of 36 patients with Reiter's disease (relative risk, 79), and 84% of 25 patients with "unclassifiable" seronegative peripheral arthritis (relative risk, 83) (1). This last group of patients are primarily males with seronegative asymmetric arthritis mainly involving large joints of lower